So I’ve found that doing a college style block system works best. We do between 1-3 subjects Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the other 1-3 on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. (Yeah, I’m harsh making him do work on the weekend; ha!)

This seems to really help with him not getting burnt out on any one subject.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As a “reluctant reader,” I have found that the combination of audiobook & book works so great!! Especially when they are books about Babe Ruth– he finished it within 1.5 days. We take turns with just-for-fun reads and classic literature.

We have already covered local/state/federal government, reading maps, Nouns, Math rounding, and Nutrition (myplate). He had a blast with the nutrition!!

We even threw in a weekend of having his best guy friend over for some “socialization.” We’ve been doing a lot of character study which has included proper interaction with friends and proper communication techniques when you are angry so I thought having someone over would be a really great chance for him to practice it. He did great!

A husband that SHOWS he thinks about me when we are apart. AKA Flowers For No Particular Reason Other Than He Loves Me.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Opportunity for Random Acts of Kindness. We left cookies in the mailbox for our mail carrier just because. (This was after Christmas, just a week ago actually)

Even in the real world – Kindness Begets Kindness.

My mail carrier, whom I have never met before, left me a handwritten note about the need to change my address for my maiden name as well because he was concerned that it would get lost. He even left me the forms I would need. Acts of Kindness do spawn other Acts of Kindness. Find a way to start a Kindness chain today!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Natural, old-school, God-given free entertainment: SNOW.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A Garage. (See #4)

I spent YEARS having to wake up 2 hours earlier than usual during the winter to account for the time it would take to dig out the car. This is my first time ever having a garage in the winter. My son (you can kinda see him in the backseat there) can get right in and it’s warm–no more seeing his breath on the way to school.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Unlimited Knowledge in Book Form. I love reading. I love knowledge. I am a “genre jumper” (meaning I like it ALL).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Being Re-Taught The Way To Read The Bible. As a child it was a no-no to mark up your Bible, but when I found my new (and forever) church home, I learned that it’s not only okay, but helpful and common to underline, write, etc in my Bible. It was symbolic for me of the relationship we have with Christ.

We are not to make a shrine, we are to make an engaged relationship. 🙂

Wake up every day with at least 1 thing that makes you grateful you are alive, who you are, and exactly where you are– that was the mission.

Week 1

My Family. They are everything in this world to me. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have no family. I should spend more time every day (especially when they make me nuts!) thanking God that I have them.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Scripture, Quiet Time w/ God, and a Journal. This is where my strength and honesty come from. Starting or ending a day this way is what makes it possible to keep going.

The Perfect Bedside Setup. Nighttime is my husband and I’s quiet time together. We turn on our lamp and in the soft glow we can talk about our day and read our Bibles.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Crockpots. The working mothers prized possession. If my house was on fire (and the kid made it out already), the crockpot would be the only thing I grab! Organic chili is pretty amazing, too.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Old-fashioned stationery sets for good ol “snail mail”. Nothing says “I care” like a mailed, handwritten letter instead of a quickly typed email that a monkey could do in a split second with very little genuine thought or care.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Surprise Love Notes For No Reason! My son slipped this in next to my breakfast. That made my WHOLE day. He is such a blessing to me!

“I found the purpose of my existence, and also the purpose of my circumstance. There’s a purpose for why you’re in the fire.”

Australian born Nick Vujicic (pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech’) is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring and uplifting inspirational speakers of all time. Nick is president of international 501c3 non-profit organization Life Without Limbs, a world-traveling motivational speaker, and writer of his memoir Life Without Limits. What makes him truly exceptional though is his ability to use his circumstances– being born with no limbs– as his greatest asset to change the whole world.

Life Without Limits: Inspiration For A Ridiculously Good Life

Image from Life Without Limbs website

“Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend ; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch ; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?”

Life Without Limbs asks a million dollar question and how many of us could really respond the way Nick did? His novel takes us through his quandary from infancy through teenage depression to the fated epiphany that launched him into his God-given purpose: inspire others and lead them to The Good News. You’ll muse, cry, and laugh hysterically. Nick Vujicic never writes with a tone that feels sorry for himself; his writing style is the same as his speaking style– honest, upbeat, and funny.

This is the perfect reading for this special season; the season of goodwill among men and a renewed Hope for the coming year. Grab your warm throw blanket, put extra marshmallows in your hot cocoa (you deserve them!), and nestle in with this inspirational memoir!!